Portable traffic delineator

ABSTRACT

A portable traffic delineator characterized by a base structure adapted to extend laterally from a conventional cone or other vertical standard, such base structure having a plurality of vertical apertures extending therethrough. The apertures act as chimneys, resulting in an updraft of air as the wind passes over the apertures, to thereby cause the lower surface of the base member to more tightly adhere to a roadway or other surface. The chimney effect is enhanced by providing short lengths of tubular elements extending upwardly from the respective apertures.

I United States Patent 1191 1111 3,809,007

Brown May 7, 1974 [54] PORTABLE TRAFFIC DELINEATOR 3,618,556 11/1971 Dittrich 116/63 P [76] Inventor: Woodrow I. Brown, 4140 Thompson Dr., Concord, Calif. Pnmary Exammer louls 94518 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harris Z1mmerman 1 PP N04 342,814 A portable traffic delineator characterized by a base structure adapted to extend laterally from a conven- 52 us. or 116/63 P 40/125 H or Other vertical Standard Such base Struc- [51] Int. Cl E01f 9/ 10 tum having a plurality of vertical apertures extending [58 Field of Search 11 3 3 P. 40/125 J therethrough. The apertures act as chimneys, resulting 404/16 in an updraft of air as the wind passes over the apertures, to thereby cause the lower surface of the base [56] References Cited member to more tightly adhere to a roadway or other surface. The chimney effect is enhanced by providing UNITED STATES PATENTS short lengths of tubular elements extending upwardly SBgge;t;:l.(.e.; 116/63 P f h respective apertures 3,147,734 9/1964 Knapp 116/63 P 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PORTABLE TRAFFIC DELINEATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traffic delineators of the portable type are widely used for the temporary diversion of vehicular traffic. In most instances, such devices comprise a ground engaging base and a standard extending integrally upwardly from the base. Usually the standard is of inverted hollow conical configuration to permit a nesting or stacking of a plurality of such devices, but the standard may be of tubular or other shape. The devices are usually molded of relatively thin and flexible material to permit flexture and a return to their normal shape when struck or run over by a vehicle. Because of their relatively light weight and their desirable limited lateral extent, they are not particularly stable, especially during windy conditions.

In accordance with the terms of the present invention, a traffic delineator is provided with a novel base structure which includes means for enhancing its stability during periods of high winds. The invention further contemplates the provision of such a base member which may be incorporated as an integral part of a traffic delineator or which may be added as an accessory to conventional delineators which are already in use.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the traffic delineator of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view, but on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged view of the chimney portion of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In broad terms, the instant invention is directed to portable forms of traffic delineators or diverters which LII are adapted for ready placing and removal from a roadway surface, and is here illustrated as a device 12, usually referred to as a traffic cone. Conventionally, such devices comprise a base 14 and an upstanding standard 16, which may be of the common inverted conical configuration shown.

As best seen in'FIG. 3 of the drawing, the conventional traffic cone standard 16 is of hollow configuration so as to permit a nesting or stacking of the devices when not in use. Extending laterally outwardly from the lower portion of the standard is the base 14 in the form of an annulus, and including a lower support surface 18, an outer vertical edge 20, and an upper surface 22 having a flat inner portion and an outwardly and downwardly extending outer portion. The base 14 and standard or cone 16 are formed of resilient material such as rubber, neoprene or the like, so as to flex when a vehicle may run over the same, and then return to its normal shape.

A diverter of the type just described is commonly used throughout the country and generally fulfills its functional requirements. However, since the entire unit is not particularly heavy, and because the peripheral extent of the base is necessarily restricted so as not to occupy too great an area of the roadway surface, it has been found that the unit is not particularly stable when a wind blows against the exposed standard or cone surface and frequently knocks the unit over.

In accordance with the terms of the instant invention, the base structure is either modified, or as shown, a supplemental or auxilliary base member is provided which may be used with existing traffic delineators. In another case, the base is provided with means for enhancing the stability of the unit when the latter is subjected to wind conditions.

The base structure is formed as an annulus, having a large central opening 26 through which the standard 16 extends upwardly. The upper surface 28 of the base is generally flat, terminating in a vertical outer edge 30,

Where the device would be initially produced with the base structure formed as a substantially integral portion of the standard, the lower surface 32 of the base would extend from the central opening 26 to the edge 30 in a generally planar relationship. However, where the base is formed to cooperate with a preexisting delineator, the lower surface of the base member has a contour generally matching the upper surface of the regular base, and hence is of inverted bowl-like shape, having a flat central portion 36, a downwardly and outwardly tapered portion 38, and a vertical portion 40, the latter merging with the planar lower surface 32, all as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

This base structure adjacent outer edge 30, and more particularly between the vertical edges 30 and 40, is provided with a plurality of vertically extending apertures 44, preferably equally spaced around the periphery of the base. Additionally, these apertures are in communication with the central bores 46 of tubular extensions or chimneys 48 extending integrally upwardly from the upper surface 28. The upper distal ends of the extensions are tapered upwardly and inwardly as indicated at 50.

When the wind passes over the base, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 4, an updraft is created in the aligned passages 44, 46, causing the surface 32 to more firmly grip the surface on which it is placed. In practice, the extensions extend about one-half inch above surface 28, and the passages are about one-half inch in diameter, with the taper of the ends being about 45.

I claim:

1. In a portable device for delineating vehiclular traf- 1 free, a base member having a generally flat configuration and including a lower ground engaging surface and an upper surface generally parallel to said lower surface, means defining a plurality of apertures disposed adjacent the edges of said base member and extending from said upper surface to said lower surface, and tubular elements extending upwardly from said upper surface and each including a central passage in communication with one of said apertures whereby said tubular elements afford an updraft of air as a current of air passes over said apertures to thereby cause the lower surface of said base member to more tightly adhere to a supporting surface.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said member is formed of resilient material.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said base member and said elements are integrally formed of re silient material.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the upper distal end portion of each element is tapered upwardly and inwardly.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said base member is provided with a central opening, a traffic diverting member having a base and a standard extending upwardly from said base, said base member opening permitting said base member to be lowered onto said diverting member with said base member overlying the base of said diverting member and with the apertures in said base member spaced laterally beyond the,- edges of the base of said diverting member.

6. A device as set forth in claim 1 including a standard extending upwardly from a central portion of said base member and spaced inwardly of said apertures.

opening is passed over the standard of such delineator. 

1. In a portable device for delineating vehiclular traffice, a base member having a generally flat configuration and including a lower ground engaging surface and an upper surface generally parallel to said lower surface, means defining a plurality of apertures disposed adjacent the edges of said base member and extending from said upper surface to said lower surface, and tubular elements extending upwardly from said upper surface and each including a central passage in communication with one of said apertures whereby said tubular elements afford an updraft of air as a current of air passes over said apertures to thereby cause the lower surface of said base member to more tightly adhere to a supporting surface.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1, in which said member is formed of resilient material.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said base member and said elements are integrally formed of resilient material.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which the upper distal end portion of each element is tapered upwardly and inwardly.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said base member is provided with a central opening, a traffic diverting member having a base and a standard extending upwardly from said base, said base member opening permitting said base member to be lowered onto said diverting member with said base member overlying the base of said diverting member and with the apertures in said base member spaced laterally beyond the edges of the base of said diverting member.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 1 including a standard extending upwardly from a central portion of said base member and spaced inwardly of said apertures.
 7. A device as set forth in Claim 1 including a standard extending upwardly from said base member a distance substantially greater than the height of said tubular elements.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 1 in which said base member is provided with a central opening extending between said surfaces, and said lower surface laterally upwardly of said apertures defining an inverted bowl-like recess adapted to overlie the upper surface of the base portion of a traffic delineator when said central opening is passed over the standard of such delineator. 